Petaling Jaya, Sunday: The number of drug addicts in Malaysia
increased in the first eight months of this year, the National Narcotics Agency ( NNA )
reported today. A survey has also indicated that youths account for the bulk of drug
addicts, with most of them being educated only up to primary school level. PEMADAM
vice-president Datuk Lee Lam They said that 14,507 cases were reported this year. New
addicts account for 9,546 and there are also 4,961 relapse cases. lee stated that Selangor
recorded the most cases this year with 2,016, followed by Kuala Lumpur with 1,928, Pahang
1,824, johor 1,620 and Penang 1,457. He said despite the significant increase in Sabah
with more than 500 cases, Sarawak recorded the lowest with just more than 20 cases this
year. From a survey conducted by the National Drug Information System, it is revealed that
more than 80% of the addicts in the country were aged between 15 and 35. The reports also
showed that 96.3% of the addicts had at least six years of basic education and 3.1% of
them started using drugs while in school. "PEMADAM is viewing this latest statistic
seriously since the current pattern of drug addiction is not showing a downward trend
compared with previous years," said Lee. PEMADAM believes that the only answer to
this problem lies in prevention. lee urged for priority on prevention by all anti-drug
agencies. "In this connection, PEMADAM is pleased to note that the NNA will implement
the Students' Resilience and Interpersonal Skills Development Education ( STRIDE )
programme in 61 primary schools nationwide this year," he added.